Watchdog claims VA may have retaliated against whistleblowers

Washington – Claims of retaliation against Veterans Affairs workers are being investigated by a federal agency. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), a watchdog group says supervisors in the agency may have retaliated against 37 employees who filed whistleblower complaints.

The Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency, says that it has blocked disciplinary action brought against multiple employees of the VA who complained of wrongdoing. Complaints made by the 37 employees involved in the retaliation investigation include reports of improper scheduling practices and mishandling of patient care funds.

Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner is quoted as saying in a statement regarding the VA’s cooperation in the matter, “Receiving candid information about harmful practices from employees will be critical to the VA’s efforts to identify problems and find solutions. However, employees will not come forward if they fear retaliation.”

Complaints at facilities in 18 states and Puerto Rico are included in the investigation.